The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Ver. 10. The name of the Lord is a strong tower.] God's attributes are called "His name"; because by them he is known as a man is, by his name. These are said to be Arx roboris, a tower so deep, no pioneer can undermine it; so thick, no cannon can pierce it; so high, no ladder can scale it; - "a rock," an "old rock"; Isa 26:4 yea, "munitions of rocks"; Isa 33:16 rocks within rocks; a tower impregnable - inexpugnable. a
The righteous runneth to it.] All creatures run to their refuges when hunted, Pro 30:26 Psa 104:18 Proverbs 18:11 Dan 4:10-11 Jdg 9:50-51 which yet fail them many times, as the tower of Shechem did; Jdg 9:46-49 as the stronghold of Sion did those Jebusites that scorned David and his host - as conceited, that the very lame and blind, those most shiftless creatures, might there easily hold it out against him. 2Sa 5:6-7 The hunted hare runs to her form, but that cannot secure her; the traveller to his bush, but that, when once wet through, does him more hurt than good; as the physicians did the haemorroids. Mar 5:26 But as she, when she had spent all before, came to Christ and was cured, so the righteous being poor and destitute of wealth - which is the rich man's strong city Pro 18:11 - and of all human helps (God loveth to relieve such as are forsaken of their hopes), runs to this strong refuge, and is not only safe, but ‘set aloft,' as the word signifies, out of the gunshot. b None can pull them out of his hands. Run therefore to God, by praying and not fainting. Luk 18:1 This is the best policy for security. That which is said of wily persons that are full of fetches, of windings, and of turnings in the world, that such will never break, is much more true of a righteous, praying Christian. He hath but one grand policy to secure him in all dangers; and that is, to run to God.
a That cannot be taken by assault or storm; incapable of being overcome, subdued, or overthrown by force; impregnable, invincible.
b εκ βελους, John x. [Sic. - Query? John 10:4, τα ιδια προβατα εκβαλη .]